• A
  • Average temperature increase

    The temperature level of the female organism varies within the cycle. In the first half of the cycle, the basal body temperature is somewhat lower, which is why this phase is also referred to as low temperature stage. In the second half, around ovulation, the temperature rises by 0.2 to 0.5 degrees C. This value is referred to as average temperature increase. It is caused by progesterone, a hormone released by the corpus luteum during the second cycle phase to stimulate the thickening of the endometrium. It is assumed that ovulation takes place around two days before the temperature increase and up to one day after. If the high-temperature stage remains constant for more than 18 days, then a pregnancy can be assumed. Thus the high temperature stage is an important indicator for all those intending to enable pregnancy the natural way.

  • Adnexa

    This term refers to all appendages of the uterus as part of the female sexual organs: in other words: to ovaries and uterine tubes.

  • Amenorrhea

    We talk about amenorrhea in case of one or more missed menstrual periods. This can be caused by an illness, by underweight or overweight, as well as by psychological or physical strain. Missed periods can also occur in competitive athletes.

  • B
  • Breakthrough bleeding

    Breakthrough bleeding is another term for withdrawal bleeding. A slight bleed from the endometrium following the withdrawal of oestrogen or progesterone, e.g. after discontinuing hormone medication, such as the pill. This lowers the gestagen level and, much like in the natural cycle, your body thinks it should now shed the endometrium. However, in the absence of an oestrogen phase, for example when taking the pill, the endometrium remains very thin and the bleeding rather weak.

  • Barrier methods

    Barrier methods are mechanical contraception methods. Physical barriers are used to prevent male sperms from reaching the female oocytes. The most tried and tested barrier methods are condoms and diaphragms.

  • Basal body temperature

    The basal body temperature (BBT) is the lowest body temperature during rest, i.e. before getting up in the morning. The BBT, or rather the resulting temperature curve, helps to determine your infertile and fertile days. Your body temperature is influenced by the level of hormones in the blood and is best measured in the morning to avoid distortion due to external influences. This data is a valuable diagnostic aid, especially for people wishing to have children.

  • C
  • Cervix

    Cervix is the medical term for the uterine neck. It links the corpus of the uterus to the vagina.

  • Coil

    The T-shaped coil, or intra-uterine device, is used for contraception inside the uterus. In addition to the hormone-free copper coil, there is also the hormonal coil. Unlike the copper coil, the latter is made of plastic and releases contraceptive hormones, instead of copper ions.

  • Condom

    Condoms, are ultra-fine, highly non-tear, and water-proof sheaths made of silicone or rubber. They represent a barrier for sperms and are among the very few contraceptives that offer effective protection against sexually transferred infections.

  • Copper coil

    The copper coil is a hormone-free contraceptive that, inserted in the uterus and through the release of copper ions, prevents conception for 3 to 5 years. The copper spiral is also referred to as intra-uterine device.

  • Cycle

    The female cycle starts with day 1 of a woman’s period and ends the day before the next period. During this time span, the texture of the endometrium changes and an oocyte matures. Normal cycles last 23 to 35 days. During your cycle, two hormones play a significant role. In the first half of the cycle (period and follicle development – from day one of the period to ovulation), oestrogen dominates the scene. Oestrogen makes the endometrium in your uterus thicken, enhances its blood flow and nutrient contents, thereby providing ideal conditions for the implant of a fertilized egg. When the oestrogen level is high, the cervical mucus is opaque and white, an ideal basis for sperms to survive and move forward. At the end of this phase, the mature egg is released from the ovary into the uterine tube. This process is referred to as ovulation. As soon as the egg is released, it travels through the tube to reach the uterus. The egg can survive up to 24 hours, whereas sperms have a lifespan of 3 to 5 days, which is why their fertility is highest on the days prior to ovulation and on the day of ovulation itself. In the second half of the cycle (corpus luteum phase, from ovulation to the onset of the period), gestagens take over. After ovulation, an increased gestagen level ensures a small, but clearly detectable rise in your basal body temperature. While the now empty follicle of the non-fertilized egg shrinks, the oestrogen and progesterone levels decrease. The altered hormone level causes the thickened endometrium to shed. This is where your period and the next cycle begins. We are able to represent this process in all detail based on body temperature. This the success formula of the LADY-COMP/pearly.

  • Cyst

    Ovarian cysts are hollow bodies filled with a liquid caused by hormonal fluctuation among other things. Since they rarely cause symptoms, they are mostly discovered during a routine examination. Most of these ovarian cysts are harmless and regress spontaneously. Ovarian cysts may, however, be a sign of malignant cell proliferation and thus require examination by a gynaecologist.

  • Calendar method

    The calendar method, or basal body temperature method (BBT), was developed in the 1930s by the Austrian physician Knaus and his Japanese colleague Ogino (hence also called the Knaus-Ogino Method). It is based on the finding that ovulation occurs around the middle of the cycle. Since the female cycle may vary in the individual woman and is not always exactly the same length, the calendar-based method is based on exact cycle tracking for at least six months, preferably a whole year. Tracking should always begin on the first day of menstruation and show the beginning and duration of the period. In addition, women should record physical changes, stress and illness, surgery, medicine intake, and diet, as well as travels to other time zones, since all these factors may influence their cycle.

  • Cervix cap

    The cervix cap uses the same principle as the diaphragm, or the pessary. However, it is not placed in front of the uterus, but directly pulled over the cervical neck. It is made of plastic or hard rubber and must be used in combination with a chemical contraceptive gel.

  • Coitus

    Coitus is the medical term for sexual intercourse, or sexual act, copulation, cohabitation, coition. It denotes the sexual activity in which the man inserts the erect penis into the vagina (vaginal intercourse).

  • Contraception

    Contraception is the medical term for conception or pregnancy prevention (birth control).

  • Corpus luteum

    After ovulation, in the second phase of the cycle, the female organism produces the so-called yellow-body. This tiny gland releases the yellow-body hormone progesterone. It stimulates the growth of the endometrium to prepare the implant of an oocyte.

  • Cycle monitoring

    Cycle monitoring helps to analyse the female cycle based on the rules of the sympto-thermal method. This method permits to survey the decisive symptoms required for determining the individual fertility status.

  • Cervical mucus

    Cervical mucus is a secretion released by the cervical glands. Its characteristics vary in each phase of the cycle: on infertile days, it is rather viscous and blocks the passage of sperms through the cervix. On the days around ovulation, the mucus is more liquid and enables the passage of sperms.

  • Chemical contraception

    Some contraceptives are produced on a chemical basis. This includes gels, creams, suppositories, sponges, and vaginal tablets. They are inserted in the vagina to “deactivate” penetrating sperms. They either kill or immobilize the sperms or form an impenetrable barrier. Advantages of these contraceptives are that they are only applied when necessary, they do not interfere with your hormonal balance, and can be bought in pharmacies without prescription. Shortcomings are that these methods are unsafe and do not protect against sexually transferred infections.

  • Coitus interruptus

    Coitus interruptus is recommended by the Bible and the Qur’an and thus among the oldest contraception methods. Today many people still use this rather unsafe contraception method. For this purpose, the man withdraws the erect penis from the vagina in due time before the orgasm and ejaculates outside the female body, in order to prevent pregnancy.

  • Contraception pill

    The contraception pill is a hormonal contraception method in tablet form. It protects against unwanted pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation, making the mucus plug in the cervical neck impenetrable for sperms, and suppressing the monthly thickening of the uterine tissue.

  • Corpus luteum insufficiency

    In case of corpus luteum (or luteal) insufficiency, the yellow-body is insufficiently formed after ovulation. This makes it harder for the fertilized oocyte to implant and to maintain pregnancy. Corpus luteum insufficiency is among the most frequent causes for an unfulfilled wish to have children, however, it frequently remains untreated. A cycle computer supplies the decisive data to efficiently treat this dysfunction.

  • Cycle stages

    For natural cycle monitoring, the cycle is divided into three stages:

    1. The infertile stage at the beginning of the cycle
    2. The fertile stage (or fertility window) in the days around ovulation
    3. The infertile stage in the second half of the cycle, after ovulation.

    Successful fertilization is only possible if you have intercourse exactly during the fertility window. To avoid pregnancy, the opposite is true: women will have to use barrier methods during intercourse in order to avoid the fertilization of a mature egg.

  • D
  • Drospirenone

    Drospirenone is a synthetic gestagen that resembles the natural progesterone hormone. It is contained in pills sold under the brand name “Yasmin” and has anti-androgenic and anti-mineral-corticoidal properties. In plain terms, this means: it helps cure impurities of the skin and is supposed to prevent weight gain frequently caused by the intake of the pill due to wateriness. On the other hand, Drospirenone is suspected to cause thrombosis and embolism.

  • Desogestrel

    Desogestrel is a synthetic gestagen used as a hormonal contraceptive. For example oestrogen-free mini-pills are exclusively based on gestagen. They alter the tissue lining of the uterus and the mucus plug at the cervical os and prevent ovulation. As opposed to other pills, Desogestrel pills can also be used during the breastfeeding period and in case of intolerance to oestrogen.

  • Dysmenorrhea

    Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for a painful period.

  • Diaphragm

    The diaphragm, or vaginal cap, is a mechanical contraceptive made of rubber, silicone, or latex. Placed in the vagina before intercourse, it prevents sperms from reaching the uterus.

  • E
  • Endometriosis

    Endometriosis is a benign condition, where bits of the uterine tissue grow outside the uterus, mostly in adjacent organs, such as the belly, the pelvis, or the ovaries. They proliferate during the cycle, much like the uterine tissue itself. Pain, difficult defecation, and bladder dysfunction may occur. Therapy options often include hormone medication.

  • Early pregnancy

    Early pregnancy is defined as a time period of no more than 14 weeks from the first day of the last menstruation onward. The first three months are the critical phase of pregnancy and most mothers consider them the hardest weeks. This is the stage when the organs are being developed. Many embryos are rejected by the mother’s body during this stage because they have no chance of survival due to abnormal development. All organs are fully developed in week 12 of the pregnancy. The fetus is then approx. seven centimetres long and weighs ca. 14 grams.

  • Endometrium

    The endometrium is a thin, pink-coloured layer lining the inside of the uterus. It allows the fertilized egg to implant. If no fertilization takes place, the upper layer of the endometrium is shed with the period.

  • Ejaculate

    Ejaculate is the medical term for the emission of semen and the liquid released during male orgasm.

  • F
  • Fertility

    Fertility is the ability of the organism to reproduce. This condition begins with puberty and ends for women with menopause. Men can remain fertile up to a very high age.

  • Foetus
    This is the medical term for an embryo from the third month of pregnancy onward. By that time, all organs are fully developed.
  • Fallopian tubes

    The Fallopian or uterine tubes are approx. 15 cm long and up to 1 cm in diameter. They allow the egg to pass from the ovary to the uterus. Fertilization of the mature egg by the male sperm takes place inside the tube.

  • Fertility window

    Fertility window means the days of the female cycle on which a woman can get pregnant. This window is not very big: oocytes are fertile approx. 18 to 24 hours per cycle. Sperms, however, can remain fertile for up to five days. This means that a woman can get pregnant on only c. six days per cycle.

  • Follicle

    The term follicle refers to the female oocyte plus the surrounding cell layer inside the ovary.

  • Femidom

    The female condom, or Femidom, is a non-tear plastic sheath c. 17-18 cm in length, with a flexible plastic ring at each end. It is put in place by squeezing the sides of the inner ring together and inserting it into the vagina. The outer ring remains outside the vagina and holds the Femidom in place.

  • Fetus

    This is the medical term for an embryo from the third month of pregnancy onward. By that time, all organs are fully developed.

  • FSH

    FSH is short for follicle stimulating hormone. Together with the luteinising hormone (LH), it plays an important part in regulating the female cycle. It is produced in the pituitary gland of the brain (or hypophysis) and stimulates the maturation of the egg in the ovary, by stimulating oestrogen production in the ovary, and the production of sperms in men.

  • G
  • Gestagen

    Gestagens are female sexual hormones. The endogenous gestagen is progesterone; it is produced in varying quantity throughout the monthly cycle. Anti-baby pills also contain gestagens.

  • Gravidity

    Gravidity is the Latin word for pregnancy.

  • H
  • Hormone stimulation

    This term refers to the administration of hormone medication in low doses in order to stimulate the maturing of oocytes in women with cycle problems. Hormone stimulation is usually started on day 3 of the cycle. Around day 8 or later, the hormone level is measured using ultrasound checks and blood tests. Once the body has produced follicles, ovulation is triggered with another hormone injection. After that, intercourse is “prescribed”, provided the number of mature oocytes is not too high and a healthy pregnancy is possible. Should the ovaries fail to react to this stimulation, the treatment is continued with hormones from the hypophysis (gonadotropins), the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), or the luteinising hormone (LH). These hormones directly stimulate follicle production in the ovaries. The costs for this form of hormone therapy are mostly covered by health insurances. An average 40 % of the women treated with this method become pregnant, most of them only after four to six treatment cycles. The likelihood of a multiple birth is quite high in this therapy form.

  • High temperature stage

    The temperature level of the female organism varies within the cycle. In the first half of the cycle, the basal body temperature is somewhat lower, it is thus also referred to as low temperature stage. In the second half of the cycle, the temperature rises by 0.2 to 0.5 degrees C around the ovulation date. This second phase before the next menstruation is referred to as high temperature stage. It is caused by progesterone, a hormone released by the corpus luteum during the second cycle phase to stimulate the growth of the endometrium. It is assumed that ovulation takes place approx. 2 days before and up to one day after the temperature increase. If the high temperature stage continues for more than 18 days and a woman has no period, pregnancy can be assumed. The high temperature stage is thus an important value for all those wishing to enable pregnancy the natural way.

  • Hormonal contraception

    Hormonal contraceptives contain synthetic hormones, the effect of which is nearly identical to that of natural female sexual hormones. The posology and application of the various hormonal contraception methods can vary considerably.

  • I
  • Induced abortion

    Induced abortion is the medical term for the voluntary interruption of pregnancy. Legal abortion today is carried out using medication or surgery (vacuum aspiration). The embryo normally does not survive this intervention.

  • IUD Intra-uterine device

    The T-shaped intrauterine device – or coil – is inserted into the uterus for contraception. In addition to the hormone-free copper coil, there is also the hormonal coil. Unlike the copper-coil, it is made of plastic and releases contraceptive hormones instead of copper ions.

  • J
      • K
          • L
          • LH

            LH is the abbreviation for luteinising hormone. LH is among the hormones that regulate reproduction. It stimulates ovulation and the development of the corpus luteum. This is why the LH level increases around the middle of the cycle.

          • Lea Contraceptive (or Lea’s Shield)

            Lea is a more recent derivative of the diaphragm and can be inserted by the user herself.

          • Luteal phase (high temperature phase)

            The temperature level of the female organism varies within the cycle. In the first half of the cycle, the basal body temperature is somewhat lower, it is thus also referred to as low temperature stage. In the second half of the cycle, the temperature rises by 0.2 to 0.5 degrees C around the ovulation date. This second phase before the next menstruation is referred to as high temperature stage. It is caused by progesterone, a hormone released by the corpus luteum during the second cycle phase to stimulate the growth of the endometrium. It is assumed that ovulation takes place approx. 2 days before and up to one day after the temperature increase. If the high temperature stage continues for more than 18 days and a woman has no period, pregnancy can be assumed. The high temperature stage is thus an important value for all those wishing to enable pregnancy the natural way.

          • LADY-COMP measurement method

            The LADY-COMP/pearly cycle computer measures your wake-up temperature via an extremely fast-reacting and ultra-precise electronic sensor that can capture your body temperature by the hundredth of a degree C. Measurement errors can be ruled out since the intelligent software reads the electronic thermometer several hundred times per second and expects a certain result. If this result does not meet the expectations – for example because the sensor slips out of place or the measurement was interrupted early, this is immediately picked up by the device. To evaluate the data, your cycle computer uses bio-mathematical algorithms that have been continually tried and tested over 30 years, up-to-date computer technology, and data of more than 1 million cycles. This means that all your LADY-COMP/pearly has to know has previously been programmed into the device. What it needs to know about your individual cycle is then calculated from the daily measurements. They ensure that you receive your individual analyses and predictions, with an accuracy of 99.3%, thus comparable to the safety of the pill. It is this unprecedented precision that has made our LADY-COMP/pearly the leading cycle computer in the world.

            Also good to know: The identification of the fertile window will become more and more precise with every cycle. As long as your LADY-COMP/pearly cannot assess your cycle with a reliability of 100%, it will remain on the safe side and display more fertile, or “yellow” days. How long it will exactly take to know everything about you, is hard to say. To speed things up, the best thing to do is to miss as little measurements as possible, or none at all.

          • Libido

            The term libido originally comes from psycho-analysis and denotes the psychological energy related to the sex drive. Meanwhile, however, the term is mainly used as a synonym for sexual pleasure and desire.

          • M
          • Menstruation

            Menstruation is the medical term for the period, menses, or the days of a woman. The reason for menstruation is the shedding of the upper layer of the endometrium, which occurs every 21 to 35 days and lasts three to seven days, provided that no egg has been fertilized.

          • Morning-after pill

            The morning-after pill is an emergency contraceptive. By taking it, the fertile days and/or ovulation can be postponed. This allows one to prevent pregnancy.

          • Menopause

            The menopause, or climacteric phase, usually starts between age 40 and the mid-50ies. While the activity of the ovaries diminishes, hormone production is gradually reduced, up to the point where the body stops producing oocytes, i.e. infertility is reached. This process frequently triggers physical and/or psychological complaints of varying intensity; these can be alleviated by taking artificial hormones, however with the risk of serious side effects.

          • Mid-cycle bleeding

            Mid-cycle bleeding, or spotting, may occur in the middle of the cycle, during ovulation. The cause: before ovulation, the endometrium has thickened as an effect of oestrogen. Immediately prior to ovulation, the oestrogen level drops abruptly. This can lead to a slight shedding of mucus and blood, which is generally harmless. In times of physical or psychological strain, spotting can however increase. Frequent mid-cycle bleeding should, however, prompt a woman to consult her physician.

          • Myoma

            A uterine moyma (or uterine fibroid) is a benign growth of smooth muscle, either in the wall of the uterus, or on the sides, or in the appendages holding the organ in place. The cause of such growth is not entirely clear. In case of complaints, myoma can but don’t have to be removed.

          • Menarche

            The menarche is the first period in the life of a woman. From this pint on, women can have children.

          • Mechanical contraception method

            Mechanical contraception refers to all those methods that prevent the penetration of sperms in the uterus. The condom is the classic and most widely known mechanical contraceptive, for a reason: condoms are only used as the need arises, they do not interfere with the hormonal balance, and are relatively safe. At the same time, they prevent infections. Other mechanical contraceptives are: Femidom, copper spiral, diaphragm, Lea Contraceptive, vaginal cap.

          • N
          • NFP

            NFP is short for “natural family planning” based on the fertile days. NFP is based on the measurement of body temperature and the observance of cervix mucus. These parameters follow certain patterns around ovulation. This form of cycle control is also referred to as sympto-thermal method. NFP can accelerate or facilitate pregnancy the natural way. Current studies have shown that the targeted observation of the cycle allows 81% of all couples to ensure pregnancy within 6 months. After one year, this figure increases to 92%. On the other hand, only 60% of women become pregnant within 6 months, if they only take their chance (source: NFP Heute, Springer Verlag). NFP cannot only be used in case of a wish to have children, but also for contraception. It has been scientifically investigated for more than 30 years and is nearly as safe as the pill.

            • O
            • Ovary

              The term ovary denotes the female gonads and thus the “birth place” of the female oocytes. In her early fertility stage, a woman has approx. 400,000 oocytes. Their number decreases gradually as life progresses, until the ovaries entirely stop releasing after the menopause. In addition, the ovaries release the female sexual hormones, i.e. oestrogen and gestagen. They regulate the female cycle and influence many other processes in the female body.

            • Oral contraceptives

              The medical term for the pill is oral contraceptive pill. These hormonal contraceptives are taken orally. They either contain oestrogen plus gestagen, or gestagen only, and must be taken once a day, in a certain rhythm over the month.

            • Ovulation test

              Ovulation tests – or LH tests – are based on urine analysis to test the concentration of LH hormone in the blood. Immediately prior to ovulation, the LH concentration in the blood rises, a clear indicator of imminent ovulation. LH tests are used to time sexual intercourse to the moment of ovulation, in order to facilitate pregnancy.

            • Ovaries

              The ovaries are a female sexual organ, i.e. the female sexual gland and thus the “birth place” of the female oocytes. At the beginning of her fertility, a woman has about 400,000 oocytes. Their number gradually decreases as life progresses until the ovaries quit their activity after menopause. In addition, the ovaries produce the female sexual hormones, such as oestrogens and gestagens. They regulate the cycle and influence many other processes in the female body.

            • Ovulation

              Ovulation means the moment where a mature oocyte is released from the ovary. This usually occurs between day 11 and 16 of the female cycle. If the egg is not fertilized within 24 hours after ovulation, it dies off.

            • Oestrogen

              Oestrogens (also follicle hormones) are among the most significant groups of female sexual hormones. They influence the female sexual characteristics and control the cycle.

            • P
            • Progesterone

              Progesterone is a female sexual hormone from the gestagen group (corpus luteum hormones). It serves to prepare the endometrium for the implant of a fertilized egg.

            • Pearl Index

              The Pearl Index is a measure for the safety of a contraception method. It indicates the number of pregnancies statistically occurring among one hundred women taking a certain contraceptive for a year. The smaller the Pearl rate, the safer the method. For example: If one among 100 women using a certain contraceptive method for a year becomes pregnant, the Pearl rate for this method is 1.0. The pill has a Pearl rate between 0.1 and 0.9, the coil has a Pearl rate between 1 and 3. With a Pearl rate of 0.7, LADY-COMP/pearly cycle computers are comparable to the pill and thus leading in conception regulation and/or pregnancy planning.

            • Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)

              The pre-menstrual syndrome, or PMS, includes all physical and psychological complaints occurring prior to the period. They include swelling and tenseness in the breasts and belly, as well as headaches and back pain, but also irritation, or exhaustion.

            • Pessary

              A pessary, or diaphragm is a mechanical contraceptive made of rubber, silicon, or latex. It is placed in the vagina before intercourse and prevents the sperms from reaching the uterus.

            • Preservative

              Preservatives are condoms, also referred to as rubber, are very thin, non-tear and water-proof sheaths made of silicone or rubber. They prevent the sperms from reaching the Fallopian tubes and meeting a mature egg. This is the only contraceptive that also provides effective protection against sexually transferred infections.

            • Pearly measurement method

              The pearly cycle computer measures your wake-up temperature via an extremely fast-reacting and ultra-precise electronic sensor that can capture your body temperature by the hundredth of a degree C. Measurement errors can be ruled out since the intelligent software reads the electronic thermometer several hundred times per second and expects a certain result. If this result does not meet the expectations – for example because the sensor slips out of place or the measurement was interrupted early, this is immediately picked up by the device. To evaluate the data, your cycle computer uses bio-mathematical algorithms that have been continually tried and tested over 30 years, up-to-date computer technology, and data of more than 1 million cycles. This means that all your pearly has to know has previously been programmed into the device. What it needs to know about your individual cycle is then calculated from the daily measurements. They ensure that you receive your individual analyses and predictions, with an accuracy of 99.3%, thus comparable to the safety of the pill. It is this unprecedented precision that has made our LADY-COMP the leading cycle computer in the world.

              Also good to know: The identification of the fertile window will become more and more precise with every cycle. As long your pearly cannot assess your cycle with a reliability of 100%, it will remain on the safe side and display more fertile, or “yellow” days. How long it will exactly take to know everything about you, is hard to say. The best thing to do is to miss as little measurements as possible, or none at all, this is the quickest way.

            • Q
                • R
                • RU 486

                  Up to week 12 after conception (week 14 of pregnancy), women have the choice of opting against motherhood. This is the deadline for legal abortion (in Germany: Art 218 Criminal Code StGB). In this case, there are two options: surgery (vacuum aspiration mostly with curettage) and medication using the abortion pill Mifegyne® or RU 486. Medical abortion is, however, only effective up to week 9 of a pregnancy (thus only up to day 63 after the onset of the last period). Prior to abortion, medical consulting and a waiting time of three days are legally required. Manufacturers may only sell the preparation to authorized clinics and medical practices and it may only be taken under strict medical control. This form of abortion neither requires surgery nor anaesthesia.

                  • S
                  • Sympto-thermal method

                    The symptom-thermal method is a hormone-free method for determining the fertile and infertile days of the female cycle. It attempts to determine the moment of ovulation by measuring body temperature and/or observing the cervical mucus or the cervical os, and assessing fertility based on various criteria.

                  • Sterilization

                    Sterilization is a permanent contraception method that requires surgery. For women, this is done by tubal ligation, whereby the tubes are clamped and blocked with a metallic clip or severed and sealed to prevent oocytes from reaching the uterus. Sterilization is generally irreversible. The medical intervention for men (vasectomy, cutting and cauterizing the spermatic cords) is less complicated than female sterilization.

                  • T
                  • The hormonal coil

                    The hormonal coil is a long-term contraceptive that is inserted into the uterus and permanently releases small amounts of gestagen. If well tolerated, the coil can remain in the body for 3 to 5 years.

                  • Temperature method

                    The temperature method is a non-hormonal contraception method that attempts to determine the fertile days in the female cycle by measuring the cyclical variations of the basal body temperature (wake-up temperature).

                  • Thyroid

                    The thyroid is a gland in the human throat that can virtually act as a fertility blocker. Its hormones control vital processes of the body, among them fertility and reproduction. If the equilibrium of thyroidal hormones is disturbed, the female hormones also go crazy: ovulation and the period no longer follow their normal rhythm. Women with a disturbed thyroid function have a very low chance of getting pregnant. Especially hypofunction of the thyroid is an adverse factor, but hyperfunction can equally disturb conception and also pregnancy as a whole. It can trigger miscarriage, premature birth, or anomalies. Also endogenous immunity can have adverse effects on fertility through the thyroid gland: around 6-10% of women have an immune system that forms antibodies against their own thyroid gland. This “auto-immune reaction” is not always evident at first sight. In such a case, the risk of miscarriage is twice as high. In case of a wish for pregnancy, women should thus absolutely undergo a blood test to analyse their thyroid function.

                  • Testosterone

                    Testosterone is a male sexual hormone that is also released in the female body, albeit in lower quantities. A low testosterone level can limit the libido (sexual desire), a high testosterone level can cause unwanted hair growth or skin impurities.

                  • U
                  • Uterus

                    The uterus is a pear-shaped muscle, approx. seven to eight centimetres long, the upper end of which is connected to the two ovaries. The uterus is the place where the fertilized eggs implant to develop to an embryo.

                  • Uterine neck

                    The uterine neck, or cervix, refers to the connection between the uterine body (corpus uteri) and the vagina, ending in the cervical os.

                  • V
                      • W
                      • Withdrawal bleeding

                        A slight bleed of the endometrium that occurs after discontinuing the intake of sexual hormones, such as oestrogen or progesterone. Withdrawal bleeding is thus likely to occur when discontinuing the pill.

                        • X
                            • Y
                            • Yellow-body hormone

                              Yellow body-hormones (gestagens) are among the most important groups of female sexual hormones. They serve to prepare the endometrium in such a way as to guarantee that the egg can implant in the uterus.

                              • Z

                                  LADY-COMP® cycle computers are devices developed and manufactured in Germany since 1986. LADY-COMP® and pearly® are currently sold in 35 countries and successfully used by millions of women worldwide. Opt for endless freedom now with natural cycle control by LADY-COMP®.